title: Expression of T-cell Immunoglobulin- and Mucin-domain-containing Molecule-3 on Lymphocytes from Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) and its ligand galectin-9 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura (HSP) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to examine the mRNA expression of Tim-3 and its ligand galectin-9 in PBMCs from HSP patients. ELISA methods were used to examine the levels of serum IFN-γ and immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1). The Spearman rank test was used for correlation analysis between Tim-3, galectin-9 mRNA expression and serum IFN-γ and IgA1 levels, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that Tim-3 and galectin-9 mRNA expression was obviously higher in patients, which was closely correlated with serum IFN-γ and IgA1, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested that Tim-3/Tim-3L may be related to the pathogenesis of HSP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bo
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Hu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bo
keywords: Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura; Immunoglobulin A; Mucin domain containing 3 protein; T-cell Immunoglobulin; TIM-3 protein